Becca's Denny Hamlin Blog

This is so difficult.....

2009-11-02T20:31:00.001-05:00

I have cried and lamented over writing this post. I have tried to figure out how I wanted to do it and to be quite frank, all I can do is be perfectly honest. For the first time since I started this blog it is time to lay all my cards on the table. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life and I just hope that when it is all said and done I can regain my passion for the sport that was once my first love.

Several months ago I completely gave up writing this blog. I started it as a way to honor my favorite driver, the pilot of the #11 Fed Ex sponsored , Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota , Denny Hamlin. By some strange coincidence, Denny found out about it and visited my blog. He was honored to be the focus of my blog and told me that I was a good writer. Denny and I became fast, close friends and spoke quite frenquently.

Every Monday we did a question and answer session and I posted those for all the fans to see. When Hamlin crashed at Dega this time last year and was injured, spending the night in the hospital and scaring this blogger nearly to death, I was one of few people he gave a personal update to.

In time, the question and answer segments came to an abrupt end. Hamlin's visits also became non-existant. Conversations began to focus on things that to say the least were upsetting. I watched my hero's whole demeanor change. I watched him lose weight, start to struggle in ways I never imagined someone I put up on a pedestal could ever dip to. And I let it effect me tremendously.

For Denny's 28th Birthday I completely redesigned the blog in his favorite colors. I got all of his dearest friends to leave him comments and fans gave him exactly 28 Birthday wishes for his special day. Nothing changed in my heart, but it did hurt to know that someone I worked so hard to please no longer found the time to stop by and visit the product of long hours of research and constructive dedication.

I was accused of lying to Denny Hamlin's fans about him. At first, I denied it. I couldn't fathom how anyone could possibly think that I would do or say anything untruthful or hurtful about this man whose very existance I idolized. But then I realized it was true. I was guilty of lying to Denny Hamlin fans everywhere.

You see, this man who zips up a fire suit every Sunday to climb inside his race car and go 200 mph and thrills those of us who call ourselves his fan is not made of steel. He isn't super human. He is not 10 foot tall and bullet proof. He is not perfect, he is human. He hurts just like you and I do. He gets sad, depressed and struggles to even face the world just like you and I do.

The fact that he makes millions of dollars and owns a house that 10 of us could place our entire home just inside the living room, does not erase the fact that life and all its struggles slam him just like they do me. In fact, if I were to be completely honest, they hit him harder. Because he is expected to always smile, always be in a good mood, always be nice and always give to whomever asks, he is unable to let his guard down.

I thought I was strong enough to deal with it. But the truth is I am jaded. I no longer look at the sport of NASCAR and the drivers, Denny Hamlin especially, the same way. And I never will again. I know too much, I am too close to the heart of it and the fact that I conspired to deceive fans everywhere makes me sick to my stomach.

So, here I am. With tears streaming down my face, writing a blog post to say to every person who has ever or will ever read this blog....it's over! Things in my own life dictate that I stop writing about Denny Hamlin. He is just a man, who happens to race a car on Sundays. He is special but not because of who signs his paycheck or because a TV camera shows his entire life to the world. But I can no longer be a party to lying to people. Find out for yourself where he is, what he is doing and how he finishes each weekend. If I can find out the information, surely someone else can.

If Denny ever happens to read this final post....I'm sorry Denny! I love you with all my heart. Nothing with ever change that. But I think you're better off being a mystery to your fans. The last thing I ever want is one of them to see you the way I do now. No one ever wants that! It's been an amazing year and I was lucky to know you. I apologize for making your life a spectacle and for adding to your hurt. Your hell has ended and I have put out the flames myself. I wish you nothing but astounding success and fans who respect you and support you better than I ever did. I have failed you and for that I am the most apologetic. Goodbye.....

Thank You!

2009-10-27T00:32:00.001-04:00

Mama would be so proud of you Denny....She knows how much I loved you! She'd be so proud to know you made me happy. Congratulations on your Martinsville win. You are my Champion!!!

In Loving Memory

2009-10-26T20:07:00.004-04:00

As I sit here writing this blog entry, I think of all the memories that make this so special to share with the world. You see, tomorrow, October 27th, marks the 6th Anniversary of the death of my Mom. She was my best friend, my shopping buddy, my mentor, my comfort and my strength. No one has ever made me laugh quite like she did. No one ever or will ever understand me the way she did. And nothing will EVER be able to fill the giant hole that has been left by her passing.

You see, my Mom hated racing. She despised that her little girl's world revolved around a car and the speed it went and the sound it made and the way it made her baby feel as it rumbled past. The adrenaline rush of watching NASCAR live and in full effect at Darlington made her sad that she had lost her daughter to a man's sport. But she still went along on my excursion to South Carolina once a year with my Dad. She rented a car and went shopping while I met drivers and bought souvenirs.

One year my friend and I went to race shops and met numerous drivers. When I showed her a picture of Rusty Wallace, her reply was, "He's good looking." "Yes Mom, and he smelled good too!", was my grinning response to her. Every time I mentioned his name I got the same reaction. "He's good looking." I must admit, Mama had taste.

She was also incredibly fond of Dale Jarrett. She thought he was handsome and made it clear that she liked him. Every time she saw the UPS truck she said "88, there's Dale Jarrett". It was so cute and I couldn't help but laugh. To this day, I still hear her say that when I hear the UPS truck race up my gravel road to the neighbors house.

I was never a birthday cake kinda girl. I wanted the candles and the icing but the cake itself was not my thing. So she frequently bought me a big chocolate chip cookie decorated especially for me on my special day. One year it was a race car, and on the door was the #12. I asked, "Mom, how did you know?" She informed me that she knew more than I thought and that I was no mystery to her. I asked my Dad if he had told her and I believed him when he told me that she figured it out on her own.

I still have the picture of that big cookie and I still stand in complete amazement that she knew I was a Jeremy Mayfield fan and the #12 belonged on my race car cookie. Somehow, she just knew. When I beamed because I'd met someone I idolized, she celebrated with me. When my driver won, she was happy in spite of her disdain.

I still can't believe that it's been another year since she left me. I feel like I lost her yesterday. Part of the reason I am able to make it through the grief and the pain of being without the center of my universe is because I have the support of someone who understands. Someone who has been there, who cares when I cry and grieve and someone who willingly drops EVERYTHING to be there to support me through my most difficult times.

I truly believe that this person was sent to me straight from heaven. I can just see my Mom up in Heaven, seeing my tears fall, knowing that somehow she has to see me through this tough journey without her. I can see her going to Jesus and saying, "Could you send someone to support my baby? Someone who will understand, who will never let her down and someone who will love her through this?" And Jesus graciously obliging her. I can see them walking across Heaven surveying the planet, searching for the perfect person to do this high priority task. I can see my Mom's face light up as she spots the perfect person and says "That one! I want you to send that one to my baby! They will be perfect for her and they will help her make it through".

I can see the smile spread across Jesus' face as he looks at my Mom and says "Well done Virginia! That's who I picked too. But not just because Rebecca needs someone to help her through. But because Rebecca can return the favor. They are perfect for each other and meant to be together." Truly a match made in heaven!

So while I mourn another year without my Mom, I also celebrate another year with the most amazing friend God could have ever blessed me with. I don't need to mention any names, because they already know who they are. If I did try to point out this angel to people, they would simply brush it off and deny that they ever did a thing. They don't need any recognition or thanks. They honestly don't think they ever made a difference in anyone's life, let alone mine.

So on October 27th, I celebrate the legacy of my Mom, Virginia, and the blessing of a friendship she created in her new heavenly home to make sure I know just how much she truly loves me. Because when I hear my angel say my name, make them laugh, and just spend time with them.... I know that I'm doing something right because I was loved and had a glimpse of the heart of two of the most beautiful and amazing people on the planet.

Rest In Peace Mommy - I love you!
Thank you my dear friend - you are my heart and I would be nothing without you! May God bless you beyond measure for putting up with me and always coming to my rescue and showing me that there is nothing we can't get through....TOGETHER! I love you!

So What? Who Cares??!??!??

2009-10-18T17:18:00.003-04:00

This is a picture of my Champion in the garage at Lowe's Motorspeedway after engine failure ruined what was promising to be a turn around moment in Denny Hamlin's fizzling Chase. It seems if it weren't for bad luck the # 11 Fed Ex Office team would have NO luck at all. Crashing out last week and equipment failure last night have really gotten my driver and his team down.

Oh yeah....here's where I say it again. SO WHAT? WHO CARES? I'd rather watch my driver struggle with ups and downs, fight hard, and win or lose fair and square than watch the Hendrick Motorsports show dominate NASCAR. You know there are 39 other teams out there just as worthy as your 4 drivers. Oh wait, that's right. There's only 39 teams when Brad Keselowski races in the # 25 car. Dale Earnhardt Jr just rides around. Okay I feel better.

You see there's something to be said for a driver who struggles and fails rather than one who always seems to come out smelling like a rose no matter how much bull manuer they roll around in. It just doesn't seem possible that the 48, 24 and 5 are ALWAYS able to come back from misfortune to dominate. I'm sorry but Mark Martin hasn't won that many races or poles per season in his career this far. It just proves there is something sinister going on and quite frankly I'm tired of it.

I don't understand how you can be THAT excited to win when you KNOW going in to the 500 miles that you're gonna come out with the checkered flag. It isn't even fun to watch anymore!

So, Mr. Hamlin, YES SIR I JUST WENT THERE!, You struggle. You fight. You lose. You sweat. You bleed. You crash. It's what I watch you for. It's why I am your # 1 fan and you're my hero. Go out there and put your heart into that race. It's why you make me scream!

So Where Have I Been?

2009-10-13T14:29:00.003-04:00

If you have wondered where I've been hiding for so long....thank you for caring. If you've been checking back to see if I've updated the blog only to find it's been months since I've written anything....there is a reason.

This may come as a surprise, but the man I write this blog for is more than just a driver to me. He is a friend of mine. One whom I totally adore. Lately things haven't been as good as I would like them to be. I have struggled with my own personal issues, hurts and hardships. I've also watched things in Denny's life not be as good as I would like them to be.

I came to the conclusion that my updating everything that happens for this driver that very few see outside of a fire suit was detramental to him instead of beneficial. For a man who clings tightly to his privacy and needs some sense of obscurity in his life....I was not a help. I was a hindrance.

By telling well-meaning fans where to find him at every appearance and posting his every move, from searching for a new house, buying new property, vehicles, and going on trips with friends, I have opened up his private book and exposed him to hurtful situations I never even dreamed of.

It took me a while to realize that while I have his best interests at heart...not everyone does. So, I have made the decision to take some time to rethink and restructure Becca's Denny Hamlin blog. I would never want to do anything to hurt someone who means the world to me. And I fear that without realizing it I may be guilty of just that.

Please understand this isn't easy. We all lose family members, go through hard times, and every driver at some point will have disagreements with other drivers and team issues. But while this may be a natural part of life, not everyone wants it plastered in the media.

I have a piece of my heart invested in the man who drives that # 11 Fed Ex Toyota and I fear that I'm too close to the situation so I'm backing off for a while.

I will be posting a birthday greeting for D Ham on November 18th so please be sure to stop by and show him how much you love him and wish him a happy growing older wish. HA HA Got ya bro....

Thank you all for understanding and for being such amazing followers. DH... This wasn't easy. I wiped tears from my eyes as I typed this post. But I have your best interest at heart and would do anything for you. Including shut down this blog tomorrow if I thought I ever said anything that upset you or made you have a second of hurt. I care about you deeply and hope you will always remember that. You're my hero...and I'm so incredibly proud of you! Keep fighting!!!! GO # 11!!!!

Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin ends string of setbacks with third-place Michigan run

2009-06-15T20:18:00.001-04:00

Coming off two weeks of frustration, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin finally got the finish he felt he deserved in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup LifeLock 400.

Hamlin, who had seen strong runs the last two races derailed by a cut tire at Dover and a fuel-pump issue at Pocono last weekend, suffered no setbacks Sunday as he finished third at Michigan International Speedway.

“We got a new race car here,” Hamlin said after netting his third top-five and fifth top-10 of the season. “We were strong all day. We had a top-five car all day. So, it's good to finally finish where we belong. I'm proud of this whole team. We were definitely a car that could contend for a top-two or top-three spot all day.”

Hamlin trailed only Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle off pit road following the day’s final pit stops with 46 laps to go. But after failing to close in on Biffle and getting passed by eventual race winner Mark Martin and the race’s dominant driver, Jimmie Johnson, it appeared Hamlin might have to settle for a fifth-place finish.

Biffle and Johnson both ran out gas in the last two laps, however, and that allowed Hamlin to move up to third in the final running order.

While certainly satisfied with his finish, Hamlin didn’t enjoy having to be mindful of an uncertain fuel-mileage situation with almost all the frontrunners in the closing laps.

“I kicked myself for not running harder because I was rolling the [throttle] pretty big at the end," he said. "But, I think it was just a bait thing. I think [Biffle] baited [Johnson] to come get him, and they ended up both running out of fuel. We were all in the same boat there; it's just who wanted to risk winning the race versus finishing. I think that's what happened."

With his solid performance, Hamlin not only broke out of his recent mini-slump but also moved above the cutoff spot to make NASCAR’s Chase For The Sprint Cup.

After entering the day 12th in points, Hamlin is now 10th and has a little more breathing room with 11 races before the field is set.

"I hate running like that, but that's what you have to do to get to the end,” Hamlin said of the fuel-economy run. “I'm just proud of our whole team. We worked on fuel mileage a little bit during testing at other race tracks and it paid off here at Michigan.

“For the most part, it was a solid day. We had a top-four or top-five car all day, and it paid off at the end."

Denny Hamlin Donates To Help Kids

2009-06-15T20:15:00.001-04:00

When children enter the big red barn at the Children's Museum of Richmond on Friday, thanks will go to several donors to the new Little Farm exhibit.

Capital grants came from the Robins Foundation ($50,000), the Richard Gwathmey and Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust ($25,000), the Marietta McNeill Morgan and Samuel Tate Morgan, Jr. Foundation ($25,000), the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation ($20,000), the Barbara J. Thalhimer & William B. Thalhimer, Jr. Family Fund of The Community Foundation ($5,000) and the Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation ($2,000).

Demolition and construction services were donated by Graybeale Construction. The Virginia Farm Bureau's Save Our Food campaign will support the exhibit with a $100,000 sponsorship.
A second exhibit including a life-size fiberglass milkable cow has been provided by and sponsored by the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Inc. for $15,000.
. . .
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin is helping children in the race for rehabilitation with a $20,000 gift to build a gym at the new Children's Hospital therapy center in Midlothian.

The gift was presented at the main hospital this week as part of a send-off celebration for 14 long-term pediatric patients departing for the unit's annual "Beach Trip."

"Partnering with the Richmond Children's Hospital is a natural fit for us," said Jennifer Reuss, executive director of the Denny Hamlin Foundation. "Denny has always had a place in his heart for children who are disabled or ill, and his hope is to give them the means and the inspiration to win the battles they fight."

The Denny Hamlin Foundation gift will help build the main gym in the South Therapy Center's new location later this year to meet increasing demand for outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy for children in the community.

The day trip to the beach was for children who live at the hospital because of their medical conditions. All 14 use wheelchairs, and many also rely on ventilators and feeding tubes. For some, it was the first time they have been able to enjoy the simple pleasure of going to the beach.
. . .
Four neighborhood revitalization projects in Richmond are $10,000 ahead, thanks to the Greater Richmond Association for Commercial Real Estate golf tournament.

Proceeds from the tournament were donated to Virginia Local Initiative Support Corp. (LISC), part of the nation's largest nonprofit intermediary in the community development and affordable housing arena.

In Richmond, LISC helps support the Beckstoffer development of up to 75 housing units in Church Hill, the Carrington Gardens/Northridge redevelopment of more than 200 units in Highland Park, the Hippodrome development of 32 units in Jackson Ward and the Six Points rehabilitation of six houses to create units for ex-offenders in Highland Park.

The charity golf tournament was held May 6 at Independence Golf Club. In previous years, the tournament has split the proceeds between two groups, but this year it chose only one, said president David Auman.

Greta Harris, Virginia LISC executive director, saw links between the two groups.
"In many ways we are players in the same market," Harris said. "However, Virginia LISC targets a specific customer: residents of underserved communities who need a leg up."
. . .
An anonymous donor has pledged half of the remaining $40,000 needed to build My Space, a universal design playground, at the James City/Williamsburg Community Center. Other donors must match the $20,000 donation before the end of the year.

Fundraising for the $133,000 playground began last November by members of the Leadership Historic Triangle class of 2009. As of May 26, the project still needed approximately $40,000 in donations before ground could be broken on the 5,100-square-foot playground.

Visit http://www.myplaceplayground.camp9.org for details.

Press Releases Following Lifelock 400 ~ Michigan

2009-06-15T20:07:00.004-04:00

Better luck for Hamlin

Denny Hamlin's third-place finish was his first in the top10 since April.
"We definitely need to get back on track," Hamlin said. "We need to start building. We've got to get back to solid finishes and make sure we solidify our place in the Chase and we don't have to race our way in going into Richmond."

Hamlin climbed two spots to 10th in the points with his performance.

DENNY HAMLIN
No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry ~ Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 3rd

How was your run today? "I hate running like that, but that's what you have to do to get to the end. I'm just proud of our whole FedEx Express team. We worked on fuel mileage a little bit during testing at other race tracks and it paid off here at Michigan. For the most part, it was a solid day. We had a top-four or top-five car all day, and it paid off at the end."

How did you feel about it ending up a fuel-mileage race? "I don't know. I think we were pretty good. I kicked myself for not running harder because I was rolling the 'five-in' (throttle) pretty big at the end. But, I think it was just a bait thing. I think the 16 (Greg Biffle) baited the 48 (Jimmie Johnson) to come get him, and they ended up both running out of fuel. We were all in the same boat there, it's just who wanted to risk winning the race versus finishing. I think that's what happened."

What were you thinking at the end of the race? "I was just thinking how much I though I saved during the course of the run. I definitely feel like I probably could've pushed harder. I'm really curious to see how much we have left in the tank to see next time in that situation I could have ran a little bit harder."

Is it a good feeling to rebound strong after last week? "It is. We got a new race car here. We were strong all day. We had a top-five car all day. So, it's good to finally finish where we belong. I'm proud of this whole FedEx Express team. We were definitely a car that could contend for a top-two or top-three spot all day. It feels good to finally come out of here with a finish we deserve."

What did you think about the race finish? "It's tough as a driver to go out there and not run as hard as what you want to. When these races just seem to come down to fuel mileage a lot. We worked on it a little bit with our race team and I think I worked on it as a driver and got better. But, I was willing to 'five-in' (throttle) there at the end. I felt like I was running a little bit too hard. So, I let the 24 (Jeff Gordon) go and it turns out the front two (Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson) baited each other into running out of gas."

Michigan: 3rd finisher press conference
Racing series -- NASCAR-CUP
Date -- 2009-06-14
LifeLock 400 Post-Race Transcript

An interview with: DENNY HAMLIN - 3rd finisher

KERRY THARP: We'll roll right into our post race press conference at Michigan International Speedway. Our third place finisher in today's race is Denny Hamlin. He drives the No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Denny is now 10th in championship points standings.

Denny, talk about how you ran out there today and how things unfolded there towards the end.

DENNY HAMLIN: Well, we had a good car all day. We fought a little track position for the most part. But we were a top five car all day. We felt like a third to fourth place car for the most part. We knew the last run, I think we were about two laps shy. I worked on some things, some road course testing, what not, to try to save fuel. I felt pretty confident that we could save those two laps.

I felt like as a driver I was really conservative. I'd be interested to see what we have left in the tank because I know I was really rolling down that 5 there about 10 to go. I just thought, man, it's kind of not worth it. If the 48 and the 16 don't run out, what's the point of trying to catch this 5? Little do you know it's for the race win.

But I think it's just the 16 and 48 kind of baited each other into running hard, and that's what happened.

KERRY THARP: Questions for Denny Hamlin.

Q: Denny, is it kind of disappointing to go back to back fuel mileage races as a driver? Is that tough when you get out there and they come on and say you have to start saving?

DENNY HAMLIN: Yeah, it is. But, I mean, it does put the driver in it, for sure. I mean, when we're all short, and I'm pretty sure that everyone was short, without having to save gas on the racetrack, it puts it in the drivers' hands in the sense of how hard do you want to push it versus how much do you want to save.

You know, it is still a driver's race, even though it is a fuel mileage race.

Q: Can you talk about this finish as far as your season. It's been not remarkable. This is a big boost for you guys.

DENNY HAMLIN: It is. You know, we definitely had a hard couple of weeks, for sure. But we definitely need to get back on track. We need to start building. If we're not 13th, I don't know with Mark winning, but we got to get back to solid finishes and make sure we solidify our place in the Chase and we don't have to race our way in going into Richmond.

You know, we had to finish pretty well at Richmond last year to make sure we got in the Chase. And that's just a gut wrenching feeling you don't want to have to go through.

We feel like our performance is pretty good. We feel like we're a little bit behind the Hendrick cars. Obviously, I mean, if Kyle is not up front, then our stuff is not the best. And it's definitely not the best right now. We're a little bit behind. But, you know, we feel like in due time we got some things that we're working on to try to be better than those guys. Right now it's just catch up mode.

KERRY THARP: Denny, thank you very much.
-credit: nascar

Think You're Denny Hamlin's Biggest Fan?

2009-06-12T13:45:00.001-04:00
Hey Denny Hamlin fans,
Think you are Denny Hamlin’s # 1 fan? Prove it! Show your support for your favorite driver and take a pic of yourself doing it. Make a sign, rock your best driver apparel, be creative and have fun with it and show your loyalty to the driver of the # 11 Fed Ex Toyota. The most creative will make Denny’s top friends on his Racing MySpace profile. Other prizes may be awarded at the end of the contest.

So get out your cameras and get busy. You have until the Coke Zero 400 on July 4th in Daytona to get your entries in to http://www.myspace.com/dennyhamlinfoundation.

Not friends with Denny? It’s easy..just send him a request before sending him your pics. One entry per person so take your best shot.

You're Kidding Right?

2009-06-12T12:12:00.004-04:00
I just read on Jayski that Brendan Gaughan's crew chief, name not worthy of being mentioned, was suspended indefinitely for racial slurs he made to Marc Davis. Now, I am not one to jump on bandwagons and fight for causes that don't concern Denny Hamlin, but this merits a response.

Marc Davis was a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is a former teammate of Denny's and a fine young man. He has faced so much to be able to live his dream and to have to deal with more of this hatred is just unacceptable. Accidents happen, things go wrong. It's inevitable at such high speeds, sometimes it is on purpose but for the most part is is unintentional.

To stoop to the level to call names with such vile hatred infuriates me. Can ya tell? I'm using the big words... Becca's angry! I read about an incident that happened at Hickory Speedway with Marc when he tangled with a white driver. It's been said that the incident with this low class crew chief was much worse and ugly. Not only that, it was witnessed by two sponsorship reps. Thank you for the great impression you've made on these people. Our sport will no doubt prosper for your stupidity.

Marc declined to comment through his father and said "Dad, let's just go" when the incident was reported to the elder Davis. Honestly, it breaks my heart. This young man is a true champion, class act and a fighter. He has me on his side and no doubt many other fans who support him and think that NASCAR was right for suspending this crew chief. I for one hope they never allow him back in the sport. Let him go to another arena that isn't fighting so hard to make everyone feel accepted. Perhaps he should speak to a 300 pound lineman who hasn't eaten in a while the way he did Marc Davis. Maybe that would put an end to his bigotous disgusting actions.

Relay For Life

2009-06-12T11:06:00.003-04:00
Tonight I am going to participate in the Relay for Life. My Mom, who is my hero, fought breast cancer and bone cancer that spread to her brain and ultimately lost her life to this horrible disease. Watching the woman I hope to some day be just like fight so bravely as this killer ravaged her body not once, but twice keeps me fighting when I just can't seem to go on any longer.

I haven't blogged in quite a while because I'm dealing with some personal issues and tonight I am facing one of them head on and honoring the memory of someone who deserves nothing but praise.

I started this blog to honor my racing hero Denny Hamlin. When I need someone to listen and support me through my grief at the loss of my Mom...well I turn to Denny Hamlin. He has been amazing and I just have to thank him for everything he does to be a friend and a hero to me.

I hope that anyone who has been touched by cancer in even the smallest way will think of me tonight as I walk for 12 hours for survivors, those brave men and women who lost their fight and for those who may face this terrifying fight in the future.

No doubt there will be tears, laughter and cheers. I can't wait to watch the survivors walk! I will be cheering for them because they truly are amazing people. I also can't wait to see the lighting of the luminaria. The bags that have the names of honorees that survived and those who are never forgotten. My Mom's name will be on one of those bags and I know I will be deeply moved by that moment. Her shining light will guide me to the finish and I know she will be with me in spirit.

I will share my pictures and my experiences when I get back. Keep an eye on Denny for me during qualifying and practice because I won't be able to watch myself. No doubt he will do amazing so I have nothing to worry about! See y'all when I get home. I walk from 6 pm Friday night to 6 am Saturday morning. Then I roll out to work an 8 hour shift 9-5 Saturday to earn some cash to pay the bills. Gonna be exhausted but it will be a good tired. Knowing I did something for a worthy cause and to honor my Mom.

Thanks again to everyone who has inquired about me and for your concern. Talk to you all soon. Love you....and GO DENNY!

Every Candle Has A Name…
There’s a name
Of the ones who are still here.
There’s a name
Of those gone we still hold dear.
There’s a name
Each one shining in the flames
And we know,
That every candle has a name.
~John W. Storey

Season In Review

2009-06-12T10:48:00.002-04:00
So..it's been WAY too long since I've posted anything about Denny and I thought it was about time I get to work. So I decided to do a little season in review. What a season it has been so far. Seems to have flown by. I swear just yesterday we were in Daytona and now we're headed to Michigan. Time sure flies when you're having fun. Granted, DNF's and blown tires are no fun, but racing 200 mph mere inches from a concrete wall with your best friends and a few guys you hate with a passion sure beats the hell outta anything else you could think to do.

Denny hasn't been smashing guitars at Nashville or winning his first race as a team owner, but he is holding his own and impressing his number one fan. So here goes... Denny Hamlin's 2009 NASCAR Season in Review...as of Pocono.

Budweiser Shootout -- Daytona ~ Started 5th Finished 13th
Gatorade Duel Race 2 -- Daytona ~ Started 13th Finished 5th
Daytona 500 -- Daytona ~ Started 10th Finished 26th
Auto Club 500 -- Fontana ~ Started 23rd Finished 6th
Shelby 427 -- Las Vegas ~ Started 34th Finished 22nd - 1 lap
Kobalt Tools 500 -- Atlanta ~ Stared 6th Finished 13th
Food City 500 -- Bristol ~ Stared 24th Finished 2nd
Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 -- Martinsville ~ Started 8th Finished 2nd
Samsung 500 -- Texas ~ Started 22nd Finished 12th
Subway Fresh Fit 500 -- Phoenix ~ Started 12th Finished 6th
Aaron's 499 -- Talladega ~ Started 18th Finished 22nd
Russ Friedman 400 -- Richmond ~ Started 3rd Finished 14th
Southern 500 -- Darlington ~ Started 23rd Finished 13th
All Star Race -- Lowe's ~ Started 18th Finished 4th
Coca Cola 600 -- Lowe's ~ Started 18th Finished 11th
Autism Speaks 400 -- Dover ~ Started 16th Finished 36th Accident
Pocono 500 -- Pocono ~ Started 7th Finished 38th -22 laps

Miss Me?

2009-05-16T18:40:00.002-04:00
Hey Hamlin fans.... been missing your Denny Hamlin blogger? Well, she has certainly missed you. Things have been crazy and I have been super busy. While I still keep track of our favorite Fed Ex driver...I haven't been able to keep up with posts the way I want to.

Fear not, I will be back shortly and have all the updates you've missed.

Denny has a great new contest on his racing MySpace page that I can't wait to tell you about...so if you haven't sent him a fan request yet, be sure to get it in so that he will accept you on Monday.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me emails asking where I am and making sure I am okay. Emotionally I am drained and exhausted but physically I am doing great.

And with the finishes our Denny has had lately there is nothing to be complaining about.

Post soon... thanks again!

~~Your Denny Hamlin Blogger

Subway Fresh Fit 500 - Phoenix - Starting Lineup

2009-04-17T21:57:00.002-04:00
The Official Starting Lineup for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 - Phoenix
~Race 8 of 36~

5 Mark Martin
18 Kyle Busch
2 Kurt Busch
24 Jeff Gordon
83 Brian Vickers
14 Tony Stewart
98 Paul Menard
00 David Reutimann
78 Regan Smith
48 Jimmie Johnson
99 Carl Edwards
11 Denny Hamlin
16 Greg Biffle
6 David Ragan
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
31 Jeff Burton
17 Matt Kenseth
82 Scott Speed
12 David Stremme
42 Juan Montoya
9 Kasey Kahne
87 Joe Nemechek
7 Robby Gordon
33 Clint Bowyer
44 AJ Allmendinger
1 Martin Truex Jr
71 David Gilliland
26 Jamie McMurray
47 Marcos Ambrose
39 Ryan Newman
20 Joey Logano
55 Michael Waltrip
29 Kevin Harvick
66 Dave Blaney
77 Sam Hornish Jr
43 Reed Sorenson
36 Scott Riggs
07 Casey Mears
09 Sterling Marlin
19 Elliott Sadler
34 John Andretti
96 Bobby Labonte
73 Tony Raines
64 Todd Bodine - DNQ
41 Jeremy Mayfield - DNQ
51 Dexter Bean - DNQ
102 Brandon Ash - DNQ
106 Trevor Boys - DNQ

Subway Fresh Fit 500 - Phoenix - Qualifying Order

2009-04-17T20:25:00.003-04:00
The Qualifying Order for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 - Phoenix
~Race 8 of 36~

47 Marcos Ambrose
9 Kasey Kahne
07 Casey Mears
29 Kevin Harvick
26 Jamie McMurray
55 Michael Waltrip
20 Joey Logano
16 Greg Biffle
5 Mark Martin
98 Paul Menard
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
83 Brian Vickers
17 Matt Kenseth
11 Denny Hamlin
31 Jeff Burton
33 Clint Bowyer
34 John Andretti
19 Elliott Sadler
48 Jimmie Johnson
77 Sam Hornish Jr
99 Carl Edwards
2 Kyle Busch
44 AJ Allmendinger
14 Tony Stewart
12 David Stremme
39 Ryan Newman
43 Reed Sorenson
7 Robby Gordon
24 Jeff Gordon
1 Martin Truex Jr
6 David Ragan
96 Bobby Labonte
00 David Reutimann
42 Juan Montoya
18 Kyle Busch
71 David Gilliland
06 Trevor Boys
82 Scott Speed
78 Regan Smith
02 Brandon Ash
64 Todd Bodine
36 Scott Riggs
73 Tony Raines
87 Joe Nemechek
09 Sterling Marlin
41 Jeremy Mayfield
51 Dexter Bean
66 Dave Blaney

Subway Fresh Fit 500 - Phoenix - Entry List

2009-04-17T20:11:00.002-04:00
The Entry List for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 - Phoenix
~Race 8 of 36~

00 David Reutimann - Aaron's Dream Machine - Toyota
1 Martin Truex Jr - Bass Pro Shops/Tracker - Chevrolet
2 Kurt Busch - Miller Lite - Dodge
5 Mark Martin - Carquest/Kellogg's - Chevrolet
6 David Ragan - UPS - Ford
7 Robby Gordon - Mapei/Menards
07 Casey Mears - Jack Daniel's - Chevrolet
9 Kasey Kahne - Budweiser - Dodge
11 Denny Hamlin - Fed Ex Office ~ March for Babies - Toyota
12 David Stremme - Penske Racing - Dodge
14 Tony Stewart - Office Depot/ Old Spice - Chevrolet
16 Greg Biffle - 3M - Ford
17 Matt Kenseth - DeWalt - Ford
18 Kyle Busch - M&M's - Toyota
19 Elliott Sadler - Stanley Tools - Dodge
20 Joey Logano - The Home Depot - Toyota
24 Jeff Gordon - DuPont - Chevrolet
26 Jamie McMurray - Crown Royal - Ford
29 Kevin Harvick - Shell/Pennzoil - Chevrolet
31 Jeff Burton - Caterpillar - Chevrolet
33 Clint Bowyer - Cheerios/Hamburger Helper - Chevrolet
34 John Andretti - Taco Bell - Chevrolet
36 Scott Riggs - Tommy Baldwin Racing - Toyota
39 Ryan Newman - Haas Automation
41 Jeremy Mayfield - Big Red - Toyota
42 Juan Montoya - Target - Chevrolet
43 Reed Sorenson - Auto Value - Dodge
44 AJ Allmendinger - Charter Communications - Chevrolet
47 Marcos Ambrose - Clorox - Toyota
48 Jimmie Johnson - Lowe's Chevrolet
51 Dexter Bean - LiveWire Energy - Dodge
55 Michael Waltrip - NAPA Auto Parts - Toyota
64 Todd Bodine - Gunselman Motorsports - Toyota
66 Dave Blaney - Prism Motorsports - Toyota
73 Tony Raines- Quality Concrete - Dodge
77 Sam Hornish Jr - Mobil 1 - Dodge
78 Regan Smith - Furniture Row Companies - Chevrolet
82 Scott Speed - Red Bull - Toyota
83 Brian Vickers - Red Bull - Toyota
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr - National Guard/Amp Energy - Chevrolet
96 Bobby Labonte - Ask.com - Ford
98 Paul Menard - Peak/Menards - Ford
99 Carl Edwards - Subway - Ford
102 Brandon Ash - Sprinter Trucks, Inc - Dodge
106 Trevor Boys - Boys Will Be Boys - Dodge
171 David Gilliland - TRG Motorsports - Chevrolet
187 Joe Nemechek - NEMCO Motorsports - Toyota

Is It Wrong To Pray For Someone's Demise?

2009-03-30T18:31:00.004-04:00
Every Sunday in my Sunday School class, one of the men in class is teased about a statement he made a few months ago. When asked how we know we've forgiven someone who has wronged us, my friend Tom proudly proclaimed "I realize I stopped praying for their demise".

It is a statement that brought forth riotous laughter from everyone but his embarrassed wife. And it is something that he has yet to live down. His honesty was priceless and if the rest of us followed his example, we would have to admit we all do the exact same thing. All be it silently, or not quite as proudly, we all wish for the demise of people who did us wrong.

This weekend, Jimmie Johnson is on my list of people whose demise I am not so secretly praying for. How he raced Denny Hamlin in the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 Sunday was low class, dirty and typical for the cheater.

My Mom taught me that if I have nothing nice to say, I should say nothing at all. Sorry Mom, but I'd never be allowed to speak again if I followed that advice at this point. I am irate and it's time I speak my mind.

It's been 6 weeks and I have yet to give my opinion of a single race on the blog that I dedicated to doing just that. I have been chill and solemn, just watching and waiting. Picking my battles carefully and plotting my message diligently. Take cover...here it comes.

Have you heard the song "Gives You Hell" by the All American Rejects? It is my new all-time favorite song at this point and my current anthem. "When you see my face, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell. When you walk my way, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell." Well Jimmie Johnson...those words are for you. When you see your friend Denny Hamlin's face...I hope it gives you hell!

If you can't pass a guy cleanly, if you have to get him way up the race track in order to stay ahead of him in order to win, you aren't better. You're just plain dirty. Oh wait! I already knew that about the defending champion and his entire team.

While I struggle to hold my tongue and lay the hot-mess that is Jimmie Johnson out for the world to see, Denny Hamlin handled the situation with class. His interview following the incident still leaves me in awe. WOW! D Ham has matured and I am impressed. Welcome to NASCAR Mr. Hamlin...we've been waiting for you.

Anyone who knows Denny Hamlin at all knows how special Martinsville is to the Virginia native. And for him to have another victory slip through his fingers but shine like a rock star over the situation just takes my breath away.

Hamlin has nothing to complain about. That is two second place finishes in a row, he has moved up to fifth in the point standings and his chemistry with his crew chief and the entire Fed Ex crew is phenomenal. It's just a matter of time for this hungry veteran team to get that much deserved win. And once the first one comes, more will surely follow.

While my blood is still boiling and I admittedly want to high five a bearded face from the Hendrick team, I have reason to smile. My hero, none other than Denny Hamlin, has settled into his leadership role at JGR quite nicely. He's coming into his own on the race track and he is setting an example, not only for his young team mates, but for this blogger and every Denny Hamlin fan. What a difference a year makes.

Hamlin Frustrated, But Keeps Focus

2009-03-30T18:27:00.002-04:00

This is the perfect example of the new "big picture" Denny Hamlin.

Instead of seething in anger over becoming a victim of Jimmie Johnson's late-race bump-and-run and denied his first Sprint Cup Series of the season in Sunday's race at Martinsville Speedway, Hamlin realized there were other concerns.

"We still got a solid finish. Sure, it's disappointing," Hamlin said after the Goody's 500. "We're not going to win the championship this weekend. We're going to win the championship later this season.

"We know we have a great package. This is a Chase race (in the fall), so I'm happy about that. But we have to make sure we're in position first - in the top 12."

There is good and bad to be found in Hamlin's performance the last two weeks.
He's run good enough to win and come up short, but his consecutive second-place finishes have entrenched him in the top 12. He moved up three spots Sunday and sits fifth in points, 148 behind leader Jeff Gordon.

"To come to two straight short tracks and be in contention to win both races, it's uplifting," Hamlin said. "We didn't win, but you can't help that things don't always fall your way."

Hamlin's day could have been much worse.

His Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, both experienced tire problems brought on by excessive brake heat. Busch finished 24th and Logano 32nd.

And in previous seasons, Hamlin may have become irate after a move like Johnson's late in the race and not remained as focused.

"Today we could have easily ended up 25th. Denny didn't let that happen," said his crew chief, Mike Ford. "In hindsight, that's experience, and that's experience that Denny's gaining and wisdom along with that."

Ford said Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota didn't have any of the brake heating issues his teammates fought through on Sunday.

"It goes back to last year. They both had the same thing and worked really hard to keep the temperature out of the (tire) bead," he said. "But you saw that a lot today.
"Denny is very easy on brakes. This is not even close to our hardest braking track. We were aware of the problem, but it didn't come into play for us."

Hamlin, FedEx Racing Nosed Out in Martinsville, Finish Second

2009-03-30T18:25:00.001-04:00

Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing team did everything a defending race champion should do in an effort to defend a crown – leading a race-high 296 laps and putting in a near perfect race on Sunday afternoon at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Hamlin regained the lead on a lap 456 restart, ducking underneath Jimmie Johnson and then holding the point through two field-tightening cautions. With Johnson on his bumper, it came as no surprise to Hamlin when he received a lap-485 nudge from the #48 that sent the #11 FedEx Freight Camry up the slight banking and allowed Johnson to sneak underneath. Despite gathering the car up, the remaining laps didn’t provide Hamlin the opportunity to repay the favor and he brought the #11 FedEx Freight Camry home in second place for the second-consecutive weekend.
For Hamlin, the second-place finish was bittersweet but the Virginia native knew that if the tables had been turned he would have approached his competition in a very similar way.
“I’m honored to be on the race track with guys like Jimmie (Johnson) and Jeff (Gordon) and Tony (Stewart),” said Hamlin. “Those are the guys who are the best in the business. We came up short. That was short-track racing. I would’ve done the same thing to him, and if it comes back around, I will do the same. It’s just the way it is. In Martinsville, you have to battle for every inch, and I was trying to protect a spot, and he was trying to get it at the end of the race. That’s the way it goes.”
Johnson claimed his sixth win at Martinsville while Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer filled out the top five. Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch and Joey Logano finished 24th and 32nd respectively.
Hamlin’s second place finish sees him jump from eighth to fifth in the Sprint Cup standings on the heels of two strong weeks for the short track expert. Jeff Gordon maintains his lead at the top of the chart.
“We’re not going to win the championship this weekend. We’re going to have to win the championship later on in the season. We know we have a great package now. This is a ‘Chase’ race, so I’m happy about that. We have to make sure we’re in position first. We have to make sure we’re in the top-12 and our whole FedEx team is doing all it can to provide me good cars. To come to our first two short tracks and to be in contention to win both races – it’s uplifting. Things don’t always fall our way, and today, they didn’t. I was in a vulnerable spot. I let him get too close, and when he did get close, he took the first opportunity he could to get to us, and I would’ve done the same exact thing.”
Armed with a good car, but stuck four rows deep for the start after Friday’s qualifying session was lost to rain, Hamlin wasted little time charging forward – knowing it was very important to clear as much traffic as possible. Despite starting on the outside and having to wait patiently for his chance to pull down, Hamlin had gained the seventh spot by the time the first caution flew on lap 19. Immediately following the restart he passed David Ruetimann and then Clint Bowyer to claim a spot in the top five before NASCAR called a competition caution on lap 40.
Crew Chief Mike Ford called for four tires, fuel and a slight air pressure adjustment and the #11 crew obliged, getting Hamlin out quickly to restart sixth on lap 46. As the leaders cleared two lapped cars, Hamlin caught Johnson on lap 48 and held the spot behind Gordon and Kurt Busch until the caution flew again on lap 69.Hamlin held the third spot through a caution on lap 70 and then moved past Kurt Busch for second place on lap 99. He then went about cutting into Gordon’s 1.5-second lead, shaving it to one second by lap 129 and then pulling up to the bumper of the #24 Chevrolet by lap 133.
A caution on lap 139 brought the leaders to pit road and Ford again called for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment in hopes of giving Hamlin more grip on exit. Hamlin restarted second on lap 144 and slid inside of the #24 on 156 to take the lead for the first time. As Hamlin held the point, a handful of cars – including his JGR teammates found the outside wall in turn two – but the race stayed green and Hamlin opened up a nearly two-second lead over Gordon with Edwards, Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart rounding out the top five. Hamlin pitted from the lead under caution and the FedEx crew worked quick to send him out in first on lap 263.
The ensuing green-flag run featured some of the best racing of the afternoon as Gordon caught Hamlin on lap 340 and moved past the #11 to claim the lead on lap 343. The two raced side by side for six laps before Hamlin reclaimed the point just before the caution flew on lap 352.
Ford called Hamlin in for tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment and the team again had Hamlin out to lead the field to the green flag on lap 359. Gordon mounted another charge, catching Hamlin on lap 400 but the reigning race winner again held his own and kept the #11 up front until the caution flew on lap 427. On pit road again, a blazing-fast stop by the #48 team proved to be the difference as Johnson was the first car off of pit road with Hamlin in second. Hamlin would hold that spot through another caution, then provide his home-state fans with the move of the race, diving inside of Johnson on the restart to claim the lead on lap 456.
With the opportunity to pull away and win a second grandfather clock seemingly in his grasp, Hamlin was twice stung by cautions that brought Johnson back within striking distance.
Following the last restart on lap 477, Johnson moved the #48 into position and made just enough contact to grab the lead and the win.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series continues next weekend when the teams head back to the big tracks and the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway.

Hamlin's Calm Post-Race Attitude Shows Maturation

2009-03-30T18:13:00.003-04:00

Watch Denny Hamlin's post-race interview following his second place finish in the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 ~ Martinsville.
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/nascar/video/cup/2009/03/29/cup.mar.presspass.hamlin.145x93.jpg

When the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 ended Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, there was still plenty of daylight left.

But that didn't mean some post-race fireworks weren't expected. Reporters and television cameramen rushed to the side of Denny Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota as it pulled onto pit road after finishing second -- again -- to race winner Jimmie Johnson, figuring Hamlin had to be hot over how Johnson had moved him out of the way to take the lead for good on Lap 485, just 15 circuits from the finish at the demanding .526-mile short track.

Hamlin climbed from the car, accepted a cold drink and a towel, wiped his face ... and actually smiled. Then he individually thanked each crew member in sight, exchanged a few calm words with crew chief Mike Ford, and turned to face the media.

He was, all in all, surprisingly calm and composed for a man who just led a race-high 296 laps and for the second consecutive week fell just short of being the guy celebrating wildly in Victory Lane.

"I'm honored to be on the race track with guys like Jimmie and Jeff [Gordon] and Tony [Stewart]," Hamlin said. "Those are the guys who are the best in the business.

"We came up short. That was short-track racing. I would've done the same thing to [Johnson] -- and if it comes back around, I will do the same. You can count on that. That's just the way it is. In Martinsville, you have to battle for every inch. I was trying to protect a spot, and he was trying to get it at the end of the race. That's just the way it goes."

“I had to nudge a lot of guys to get around them at points during the race. So it's hard for me to fault [Johnson] for what he did.” DENNY HAMLIN

Consistency rules
Hamlin has -- for better or worse -- become accustomed to running up front but rarely winning races. Last year he finished third a remarkable eight times. His only win came precisely one year ago Sunday in the 2008 spring race at Martinsville, and was the fourth of a Cup career that is only now beginning to emerge from its infancy in his fourth full season.

Hamlin admitted that he hungered for the victory Sunday, especially after coming close again a week earlier while finishing second to teammate Kyle Busch at Bristol. But it was, alas, apparently not meant to be.

Ford, Hamlin's veteran crew chief, said he had no problem with the way Johnson nudged his driver out of the way during his latest trip to Victory Lane [it was Johnson's fifth win in the last six races at Martinsville].

"It's short-track racing. If you look at our car, the nose is beat off it just as bad as the back bumper. What goes around comes around," Ford said. "It came down to that was Jimmie's last shot. It got narrow down there on the bottom of the race track, and it just worked out that way. I'm sure if the roles were reversed, it would be the same story in reverse.

"We did what we had to do. We put a good race car out there, and Denny drove a good race. We had a shot to win, it just didn't pan out."

What Ford does have a problem with is all the questions about his No. 11 team falling just short of getting to Victory Lane. He particularly bristles at comparisons to the No. 18 team at Joe Gibbs Racing, a car driven by Busch that had a tough day Sunday at Martinsville, finishing 24th, but had won two of the previous three Sprint Cup Series races and has piled up 10 Cup wins over the last two seasons.

What will it take, he was asked, for Hamlin to start racking up victories with frequency akin to that of Busch?

"I'm about tired of fielding that question," Ford said. "If you look at it, it seems like people think we've had bad years or something. We haven't. We've made the Chase the last three years. Only a handful of guys can say that. Tony Stewart can't say it; Dale Earnhardt Jr can't say that. There are a lot of guys who can't say they've been as consistent as we've been the last three years.

"Guys win championships without winning races. It can be done. The thing about this team is that we're consistent. There aren't many race tracks that we go to where we aren't competitive. We're a little bit stronger on the short tracks, but the intermediates are coming around.

Everyone's package is a little bit different. A lot of guys can go out and win a bunch of races, but they fall on their faces about as much as they win. We're a little bit more even-keeled. We may not have the race wins under our belt, but the last two weeks I think we've shown that we're even close to doing that."

A new Denny?
Hamlin's calm demeanor after what happened Sunday actually bodes well for the future, in Ford's opinion. It is, it seems, a new and better Denny -- more mature and better able to handle setbacks while keeping his focus solidly in the positive lane and on the future.

"I think if you look back at the last couple of Chases, we start off and we get into a couple of accidents. You look back to last year and a day like [Sunday], and we very easily could have ended up 25th," Ford said. "I think you look at that and you have to say that that's experience that Denny has picked up, and maybe a little wisdom along with it."

So the folks from the No. 11 team chose to look at the silver lining in the gathering gray skies late Sunday afternoon at Martinsville. And there were no post-race fireworks from Hamlin, who certainly has been volatile and vocal in the past when races did not go his way toward the end.

Those who expected him to be furious with Johnson for the contact that was made on Johnson's final pass were left more disappointed than Hamlin was. Well, not quite. But almost.

"It was a great race," Hamlin said of Sunday's event. "I battled with the 24 [Gordon] the same way earlier in the day. I had to nudge a lot of guys to get around them at points during the race. So it's hard for me to fault [Johnson] for what he did.

"With 20 to go, that's part of racing. It really is. It's short-track racing at its best."

The end result, and Hamlin's reaction to it, left one thinking that Hamlin's best is still in front of him. After all, he's only 28 years old, and he seems to be building toward a day when he won't be left behind so often on pit road explaining why he was good, but not quite good enough to get to Victory Lane.

"Everyone's formula is a little bit different," Ford said. "Everybody's strategy is a little bit different. And everyone's results at the end of the day are a little bit different. This is our package. We're working to get better at it. We don't want to get in a situation where we win every once in a while. We want to get to a situation where we're winning consistently."

It could happen. Hamlin is getting closer, not just on the track but in his own head. Once the mind is right, the victories shouldn't be too far behind.

Sprint Cup Point Standings - As of Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville

2009-03-30T10:44:00.003-04:00
The Unofficial Point Standings as of Martinsville

~Race 6 of 36~

(--) Jeff Gordon 959 Leader
(+1) Clint Bowyer 870 -89
(-1) Kurt Busch 827 -132
(+5) Jimmie Johnson 817 -142
(+3) Denny Hamlin 811 -148
(-2) Kyle Busch 800 -159
(--) Tony Stewart 798 -161
(-3) Carl Edwards 750 -209
(-3) Kasey Kahne 745 -214
(+2) Kevin Harvick 714 -245
(--) David Reutimann 710 -249
(-2) Matt Kenseth 704 -255
(--) Jeff Burton 697 -262
(+1) Juan Montoya 673 -286
(+1) AJ Allmendinger 670 -289
(+3) Dale Earnhardt Jr 660 -299
(+4) Michael Waltrip 630 -329
(+9) Ryan Newman 625 -334
(+4) Bobby Labonte 620 -339
(-6) Brian Vickers 617 -342
(+3) Marcos Ambrose 616 -343
(+6) Jamie McMurray 609 -350
(-5) Greg Biffle 605 -354
(-7) Elliott Sadler 600 -359
(-3) David Stremme 599 -360
(-1) Casey Mears 588 -371
(+4) Mark Martin 587 -372
(-8) Martin Truex Jr 584 -375
(-3) David Ragan 569 -390
(-1) Reed Sorenson 569 -390
(--) Robby Gordon 485 -474
(--Sam Hornish Jr 459 -500
(--) John Andretti 455 -504
(--) Joey Logano 427 -522
(+3) Paul Menard 414 -545
(--) Aric Almirola 387 -572
(--) David Gilliland 386 -573
(-3) Scott Speed 386 -573
(--) Travis Kvapil 295 -667
(+3) Scott Riggs 216 -743
(-1) Regan Smith 206 -753
(-1) Joe Nemechek 205 -754
(+2) Jeremy Mayfield 158 -801
(--) Dave Blaney 153 -801
(-3) Bill Elliott 149 -810
(+1) Todd Bodine 123 -836
(+1) Terry Labonte 91 -868
(--) Max Papis 55 -904
(--) Brad Keselowski 49 -910
(--) Sterling Marlin 43 -916
(--) Mike Bliss 34 -925

Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville - Results

2009-03-30T10:19:00.003-04:00
The Unofficial Results of the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville
~Race 6 of 36~

48 Jimmie Johnson
11 Denny Hamlin
14 Tony Stewart
24 Jeff Gordon
33 Clint Bowyer
39 Ryan Newman
5 Mark Martin
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
44 AJ Allmendinger
26 Jamie McMurray
29 Kevin Harvick
42 Juan Montoya
55 Michael Waltrip
47 Marcos Ambrose
31 Jeff Burton
96 Bobby Labonte
43 Reed Sorenson
2 Kurt Busch
9 Kasey Kahne
00 David Reutimann - 1
07 Casey Mears - 1
12 David Stremme - 1
17 Matt Kenseth - 1
18 Kyle Busch - 2
98 Paul Menard - 2
99 Carl Edwards - 2
6 David Ragan - 2
16 Greg Biffle - 2
1 Martin Truex - 2
36 Scott Riggs - 3
19 Elliott Sadler - 3
20 Joey Logano - 4
83 Brian Vickers - 4
77 Sam Hornish Jr - 4
34 John Andretti - 4
71 David Gilliland - 8
8 Aric Almirola - 10
41 Jeremy Mayfield - 59
82 Scott Speed - 76
7 Robby Gordon Engine
87 Joe Nemechek Brakes
66 Dave Blaney Rear End
64 Todd Bodine Engine

Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville - Lineup

2009-03-29T21:58:00.002-04:00
Qualifying for the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville - was rained out and the field was set according to Sprint Cup Points.

24 Jeff Gordon
2 Kurt Busch
33 Clint Bowyer
18 Kyle Busch
99 Carl Edwards
9 Kasey Kahne
14 Tony Stewart
11 Denny Hamlin
48 Jimmie Johnson
17 Matt Kenseth
00 David Reutimann
29 Kevin Harvick
31 Jeff Burton
83 Brian Vickers
42 Juan Montoya
44 AJ Allmendinger
19 Elliott Sadler
16 Greg Biffle
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
1 Martin Truex Jr
55 Michael Waltrip
12 David Stremme
96 Bobby Labonte
47 Marcos Ambrose
07 Casey Mears
6 David Ragan
39 Ryan Newman
26 Jamie McMurray
43 Reed Sorenson
7 Robby Gordon
5 Mark Martin
77 Sam Hornish Jr
34 John Andretti
20 Joey Logano
71 David Gilliland
82 Scott Speed
8 Aric Almirola
98 Paul Menard
66 Dave Blaney
36 Scott Riggs
87 Joe Nemechek
41 Jeremy Mayfield
64 Todd Bodine
Did Not Qualify
09 Sterling Marlin
37 Tony Raines
46 Dennis Setzer
75 Derrike Cope

Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville - Qualifying Order

2009-03-28T20:11:00.004-04:00
Qualifying order for the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville

~Race 6 of 36~

55 Michael Waltrip
34 John Andretti
07 Casey Mears
18 Kyle Busch
6 David Ragan
16 Greg Biffle
43 Reed Sorenson
5 Mark Martin
26 Jamie McMurray
29 Kevin Harvick
83 Brian Vickers
47 Marcos Ambrose
24 Jeff Gordon
42 Juan Montoya
44 AJ Allmendinger
17 Matt Kenseth
99 Carl Edwards
00 David Reutimann
11 Denny Hamlin
77 Sam Hornish Jr
1 Martin Truex Jr
12 David Stremme
9 Kasey Kahne
48 Jimmie Johnson
31 Jeff Burton
7 Robby Gordon
33 Clint Bowyer
96 Bobby Labonte
19 Elliott Sadler
20 Joey Logano
71 David Gilliland
14 Tony Stewart
39 Ryan Newman
2 Kurt Busch
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
36 Scott Riggs
37 Tony Raines
98 Paul Menard
41 Jeremy Mayfield
09 Sterling Marlin
64 Todd Bodine
87 Joe Nemechek
82 Scott Speed
75 Derrike Cope
46 Dennis Setzer
8 Aric Almirola
66 Dave Blaney

Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville - Tune In Schedule

2009-03-26T22:11:00.003-04:00

Sprint Cup Practice - Friday March 27 ~ NOON SPEED

Sprint Cup Qualifying - Friday March 27 ~ 3:30 PM SPEED

Sprint Cup Practice - Saturday March 28 ~ 10:30 AM & 11:50 AM SPEED

Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - Martinsville, VA ~ 1:30 PM FOX